Unlike the geographically-lonely Rainier, Mt. Baker looks into the heart of the Cascade Range for tremendous views of endless steep, snow-capped peaks. Mt. Baker offers the perfect introduction to mountaineering, and is often considered the best glacier training venue in the US.
For any climber wishing to add ice-climbing and steep snow-climbing skills to their resume, Mount Baker is perfect. It’s got everything Mount Rainier has—glaciers, crevasses, ice falls, steep ice, steep snow, craggy rock spires—and more.
Situated within the wild North Cascades, often called the Switzerland of America, Baker comes with pristine wilderness and a sense of solitude that is unique among the Cascade Volcanoes. But what it doesn’t have is perhaps its greatest draw: crowds and permit hassles.
–Mount Baker Climber New! While most outfitters require at least a 55lbs pack, Alpine Ascents has camps pre-set up on the mountain, so climbers only have to carry only a 35lbs pack!
A Rainier climb — a multiday, roughly 9-mile ascent of 9,000-plus feet over snow and rock amid unpredictable obstacles — is an always arduous, potentially dangerous undertaking that, despite its daunting specter, is, when successful, exceedingly satisfying.
The climb will be in late may. I know that Rainier is higher and more technical, but if baker or shuksan can provide a sufficient preparation, then I prefer to save the money (also the Northern Cascades look amazing).
Mount Baker is one of the most heavily glaciated peaks in the Lower 48, but it is relatively easy to access and offers beginner climbing terrain. This combination makes it an excellent training ground for both committed mountaineers and those who are just beginning to explore “the alpine.”
Difficulty and Experience required: Grade AD, long and strenuous with the same route taken on descent. Previous alpine climbing experience essential, especially scrambling ability and general sure footedness.
Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 7 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and rock climbing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are May through August.
How hard is it to climb Mount Baker? Mount Baker is relatively easy to climb. While you will need to be physically fit and have some basic climbing knowledge, it is one of the best mountains for beginners to learn the ropes on.
Train for Mt. Baker:Prepare by hiking 8-10 miles per week with 3000-5000 feet of elevation gain.A good gauge is being able to carry a 40 lb pack on a 2000 ft elevation hike in about 2 hours.Run 10 miles per week.Focus on building leg strength.Focus on endurance.More items...
All routes to the summit of Mt. Baker are technical climbs on glaciers. Glacier travel experience, knowledge of crevasse rescue techniques and safe climbing habits are a must. Guide services offer a variety of climbing courses and provide an opportunity to acquire and improve mountaineering skills.
around 40 degreesThe "crux" of this route is the Roman Wall, a steep headwall beginning at roughly 9,750 feet and averaging around 40 degrees depending on the season.
Most of the time climbers get down from a wall by simply lowering or rappelling off of the top using a fixed anchor. A fixed anchor is normally a couple of bolts drilled into the wall with lowering rings or chains connecting them. There are a few methods depending on what gear is at the top and how big the wall is.
For climbers preparing for moderate alpine rock climbs, their goal should be to keep a consistent uphill pace all day when hiking and then to be comfortable transitioning into a higher angle environment where core, leg, and arm muscles are used to climb moderate rock for a few hours.
Alpine climbing is inherently dangerous: that point can't be emphasized enough. Between the complicated rope systems, technical knowledge, and rapidly changing weather patterns of alpine environments, any foray into high altitudes should be taken seriously and with extreme caution.
A true wilderness outing, climbers carry gear to camp, spend a full day training, and summit via the beautiful Easton glacier.
There are six of these giants in the Northwest: Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak, and Mount Baker. But for most climbers seeking a world-class route on a big mountain, access, quality and climbing routes mean the choice comes down to just two: Mount Baker or Mount Rainier.
Mount Baker. Mt. Baker , the highest point in the North Cascades, is a heavily glaciated and active but quiet stratovolcano. The 12+ active glaciers of Mt. Baker cover an area exceeding 20 square miles. Mt.
This course serves as a prerequisite for many of Alpine Ascents’ intermediate-level climbs and is a stepping stone for more technically difficult mountains. It has served as a springboard for many climbing careers, including those of numerous Everest summiteers, and has developed a skills foundation for hundreds of independent climbers. It has also been successfully used as a training ground for skilled adventurers, rangers, law enforcement, firefighters, military, stunt people and others who require climbing skills in their careers.
This course is designed for the beginner or intermediate climber who wishes to develop strong fundamental skills in all aspects of snow and glacier climbing. It serves as a prerequisite for many of Alpine Ascents’ intermediate-level climbs and is a stepping stone for more technically difficult mountains. Prior experience with backpacking and camping is recommended.
The Kautz glacier is a spectacular intermediate climb that requires excellent physical conditioning. The challenging four-day climb is highlighted by several hundred feet of steep snow and ice climbing that weaves through the serac walls on the Kautz glacier.
Contained within this range are scores of peaks topping 8,000 feet, upwards of 400 glaciers, and countless permanent snowfields. Most of the high peaks in the North Cascades are composed of metamorphic or intrusive igneous rocks.
The North Cascades are considered the premier training ground for developing alpine climbers. See our Course Catalog for a complete listing of our North Cascades course offerings. The weather in the North Cascades can be extremely variable, with snow sometimes below 3,000 feet.
With each expedition, trek and course, we not only attempt to leave the environment as we found it , but strive to assist the local population in protecting the land and people indigenous to that region. Alpine Ascents reaches for the highest ethical business practices at home and abroad. Each staff member is dedicated to environmentally sound alpine ascents.
This course is designed for the beginner or intermediate climber who wishes to develop strong fundamental skills in all aspects of snow and glacier climbing. It serves as a prerequisite for many of Alpine Ascents’ intermediate-level climbs and is a stepping stone for more technically difficult mountains. Prior experience with backpacking and camping is recommended.
This is an incredible eight-day training course, culminating with a summit climb on the Emmons Glacier on Mount Rainier, known locally as “təqʷuʔməʔ” (Taquoma). Not only do you train in one of the most ideal locations for snow, glacier and ice climbing, but you also attempt the highest volcano and glaciated peak in the continental United States.
I loved this course. It was an excellent, comprehensive introduction to mountaineering and expanding my skills. I felt much more comfortable with self-arrest training when I got to put it to the test during crevasse rescue, and I actually had to hold a real person and their weight. –
Hey Alpine, I’m resolved. 2022 is the year I learn the ropes (pun intended) of mountaineering. You have a lot of offerings on your site and I’m not sure which one is right for me. Can you give me the CliffsNotes explanation of the difference between them all? There’s a 6-Day, 8-Day, 9-Day, 10-Day, 13-Day, […]
Alpine Ascents offers a wide range of courses in an attempt to cater to each climber’s interests and personal desires. Many of the courses cover similar curriculum, but have nuances based on location, number of days and season. All programs (successfully completed) serve as a prerequisite for more advanced climbs such as Denali, Vinson, Aconcagua, ...
(This course is offered at a lower price than the Six Day and Kautz Climb done separately). Climbing Rainier allows one to summit a peak over 14,000 feet.
The goal of this course is that graduating students should be able to climb non-technical glaciated mountains safely. It also provides an excellent advanced preparation for guided ascents of the Kautz Glacier on Mount Rainier, Denali, Mount Vinson, Cho Oyu.
This comprehensive course covers all aspects of glacier mountaineering with a chance to summit Mt. Rainier. This course takes place on the Emmons glacier (a lesser used route on Rainier) and may have a day of ice climbing, conditions permitting.
The 6 Day is an excellent value. Recommended for those who do not have 8-10 days for a training course or who are confident about learning the glacier climbing skills in six days. (Also good preparation for Aconcagua) Details. Rainier Denali Preparation Course.
Alpine Ascents believes the best training for mountaineering is accomplished with as much time in the field as possible, and all eight days are spent in the mountains.
Today the group breaks down camp and move several thousand feet up the Muir Snow field to Camp Muir, which sits at 10,100 feet. We will spend the last three days at this camp.
One of the most valuable skills learned during the Denali prep course is simply living out in a cold, often uncomfortable, environment for all 8 days.
A fter several days of training in the lower Winthrop glacier, our team moved up to Camp Schurman this morning with hopes to summit early tomorrow morning, weather willing and the creek don't rise!
Super warm weather has made this trip a sweat shop, but the sun is sure nice! The team is doing strong work: yesterday with heavy loads to camp at Glacier Basin, and today with a steep haul up and over St. Elmo's Pass to camp on the Winthrop glacier.
I nclement weather kept our first ten-day course from summiting Mount Baker last week, though a valiant attempt in an extreme whiteoute was made.
Regional discussion and conditions reports for Washington and Oregon. Please post partners requests and trip plans in the Pacific Northwest Climbing Partners section.
Hi, I plan on hiking Rainier & Hood during the Memorial Day weekend in 2012. Need some help on choosing the guide service for Mt. Rainier.